Masters of the tricky art of innovating within a musical tradition while remaining true to its essence, Old Blind Dogs have stood on the cutting edge of Scotland's roots revival since forming in 1990. With a repertoire that includes high-octane instrumentals and traditional songs (including a truly great rendition of Robert Burns' "A Man’s a Man for A' That"), it's always a joy to hear the Dogs' dynamic fusion of delicately phrased melodies from Scots tradition with world music, jazz, and rock undercurrents. Founding member, Jonny Hardie (fiddle and mandolin), hails from Aberdeenshire on Scotland's northeast coast, an area steeped in traditional songs and fiddle tunes. African-flavored percussion and bluesy harmonica take the music in interesting directions, with Jim Malcolm's soulful vocals, Jonny's fiddle, and Rory Campbell's superb piping tying the music back to its roots. Aaron Jones' bass and bouzouki and Fraser Stone's drumming round out the roster of this supergroup, hailed by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as in a league with such great Celtic acts as the Bothy Band and the Battlefield Band. Old Blind Dogs' latest release is last year's The Gab O Mey.